We have already collected quotes on the voicethread which highlight elements of each character. Your group's task is to write a comprehensive character analsysis, supporting your arguments with quotes and techniques
Romeo
Final text here
Juliet
Final text here
Mercutio
This is Mercutio stealing Romeo's gun during their brawl in a modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliet in that version we will be watching. XD (In fact we'll be watching it on Monday!)
Benvolio (By Megan and Isi!)
Benvolio belongs to the Montagues, he is Romeo's close friend and cousin. ("Farewell my coz" - Benvolio) ("Coz" Means cousin) Benvolio's language is a different style of language compared to others in the play (in the beginning). He is a good friend to Romeo because he tries to cheer him up and find out the root of his problems and sadness (Rosaline).
Benvolio is one to give Romeo love advice (lines 44 - 49). "The cure for love is to look at other girls."
BUT is Benvolio economical with the truth?
AND
Is his account of the brawl an accurate or unbiased account or is it from the point of view of the Montagues?
Benvolio holds his friends in high regard. ie. " That slew thy kinsman, brave Mercutio."
Nurse
The nurse is a vital character in the mechanics of Romeo and Juliet’s love and secret affair. She is demonstrated to be very devoted to Juliet, this is shown through agreeing to communicate for her with Romeo and the compliments that she pays Juliet. An example of this is ◦“Thou wast the prettiest babe that E’er I nursed” (Ln 61,1.3)’.
This quote also supports the intimacy in the relation between the Nurse and Juliet. A close relation is also shown through: ◦“Faith, I can tell her age unto an hour” (Ln 12, 1.3) ◦‘He is not the flower of courtesy, but I’ll warrant him, as gentle as a lamb.’ §Which demonstrates the close relation through the nurse being able to freely criticise and express her opinions to her mistress ◦‘But you shall bear the burden soon at night’ §Which clearly expresses a sexual joke- also demonstrated the close relation between them ◦‘Never was seen so black a day as this’ (ln 54 4.5) §This is expressed in response to Juliet’s supposed death. The reference of black and the continual expression of her grief show the nurse’s devotion and love to Juliet.
The Nurse also hints to why she helped the forbidden love of Romeo and Juliet. In the introduction of the nurse, she tells of the infortunes she endured with her own child, Susan, who is now deceases that would be due to an earthquake. The nurse understandably sees this as punishment for her sins, which is implied when she refers to Susan -‘she was too good for me’ (ln 21 1.3). This presents logic to why the Nurse supported anything of Juliet’s happiness, thus defying Lady Capulet and Capulet in letting their daughter intimately associate with the son of the enemy household.
Friar Lawrence
Friar Lawrence occupies a strange position in Romeo and Juliet. He is a kindhearted cleric who helps Romeo and Juliet throughout the play. He performs their marriage and gives generally good advice, especially in regard to the need for moderation. He is the sole figure of religion in the play. But Friar Lawrence is also the most scheming and political of characters in the play: he marries Romeo and Juliet as part of a plan to end the civil strife in Verona; he spirits Romeo into Juliet’s room and then out of Verona; he devises the plan to reunite Romeo and Juliet through the deceptive ruse of a sleeping potion that seems to arise from almost mystic knowledge. This mystical knowledge seems out of place for a Catholic friar; why does he have such knowledge, and what could such knowledge mean? The answers are not clear. In addition, though Friar Lawrence’s plans all seem well conceived and well intentioned, they serve as the main mechanisms through which the fated tragedy of the play occurs. We should recognize that the Friar is not only subject to the fate that dominates the play, but in many ways he brings that fate about.
Quotes:
"For naught so vile that on the earth doth live,/But to the earth some special good doth give/Nor aught so good but, strained from that fair use,/Revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse./Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied,/And vice sometime's by action dignified." (II,iii,11-16)
"These violent delights have violent ends,/And in their triumph die, like fire and powder/Which as they kiss consume....Therefore love moderately, long love doth so,/Too swift arrives, as tardy as too slow." (II,vi,09-15)
- Michael Punch
Tybalt
A proud and honourable character, indoctrinated at an early age by the 'Capulet' ideals etc... He portrays the 'rage' of the house and is quick to act to his short temperamental nature. His is however threatened, he believes that a Montague is a threat and there presence an insult to his family. Due to this he shows his vulnerability, and this obviously shows in his death, but he fights for purpose and that is revenge.
Quotes:
"What, are thou drawn among these heartless hinds?" Tybalt, Act I Scene 1 Line 57
Here his belief of higher status and importance, that a Capulet is the exemplary man which society should heed to, and Montagues are 'heartless hind's', as if beasts.
"What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word, As i hate hell, all Montagues, and thee." Tybalt, Act 1 Scene 1 Line 61-62
Tyblat's relation of hell relates to how he despises the Montague family. During Elizabeathen times hell was perceived and represented as black, black magic (witchery), dirt, and of all importance to be out of God's love.
"To scorn at our solemnity this night" Tybalt, as he tells Capulet in reference to Romeo's presence at the party. Act 1 Scene 5 Line 62
Shows his vulnerability to Romeo, that he might actually do nothing is not a possible theory for Tybalt, that he will disrupt and alter the course of events is a certainty. This spite links to his indoctrination of what to expect of Montagues.
"Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me, therefore turn and drawn." Tybalt, to Romeo. Act 3 Scene 1 Line 59-60
The reference to 'injuries' suggests the possibility of revenge for past actions, whether in Tybalt's or Romeo's life time this also portrays indoctrination.
Romeo
Final text hereJuliet
Final text hereMercutio
This is Mercutio stealing Romeo's gun during their brawl in a modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliet in that version we will be watching. XD (In fact we'll be watching it on Monday!)
Benvolio (By Megan and Isi!)
Benvolio belongs to the Montagues, he is Romeo's close friend and cousin. ("Farewell my coz" - Benvolio) ("Coz" Means cousin) Benvolio's language is a different style of language compared to others in the play (in the beginning). He is a good friend to Romeo because he tries to cheer him up and find out the root of his problems and sadness (Rosaline).Benvolio is one to give Romeo love advice (lines 44 - 49). "The cure for love is to look at other girls."
BUT is Benvolio economical with the truth?
AND
Is his account of the brawl an accurate or unbiased account or is it from the point of view of the Montagues?
Benvolio holds his friends in high regard. ie. " That slew thy kinsman, brave Mercutio."
Nurse
The nurse is a vital character in the mechanics of Romeo and Juliet’s love and secret affair. She is demonstrated to be very devoted to Juliet, this is shown through agreeing to communicate for her with Romeo and the compliments that she pays Juliet. An example of this is◦ “Thou wast the prettiest babe that E’er I nursed” (Ln 61,1.3)’.
This quote also supports the intimacy in the relation between the Nurse and Juliet. A close relation is also shown through:
◦ “Faith, I can tell her age unto an hour” (Ln 12, 1.3)
◦ ‘He is not the flower of courtesy, but I’ll warrant him, as gentle as a lamb.’
§ Which demonstrates the close relation through the nurse being able to freely criticise and express her opinions to her mistress
◦ ‘But you shall bear the burden soon at night’
§ Which clearly expresses a sexual joke- also demonstrated the close relation between them
◦ ‘Never was seen so black a day as this’ (ln 54 4.5)
§ This is expressed in response to Juliet’s supposed death. The reference of black and the continual expression of her grief show the nurse’s devotion and love to Juliet.
The Nurse also hints to why she helped the forbidden love of Romeo and Juliet. In the introduction of the nurse, she tells of the infortunes she endured with her own child, Susan, who is now deceases that would be due to an earthquake. The nurse understandably sees this as punishment for her sins, which is implied when she refers to Susan -‘she was too good for me’ (ln 21 1.3). This presents logic to why the Nurse supported anything of Juliet’s happiness, thus defying Lady Capulet and Capulet in letting their daughter intimately associate with the son of the enemy household.
Friar Lawrence
Friar Lawrence occupies a strange position in Romeo and Juliet. He is a kindhearted cleric who helps Romeo and Juliet throughout the play. He performs their marriage and gives generally good advice, especially in regard to the need for moderation. He is the sole figure of religion in the play. But Friar Lawrence is also the most scheming and political of characters in the play: he marries Romeo and Juliet as part of a plan to end the civil strife in Verona; he spirits Romeo into Juliet’s room and then out of Verona; he devises the plan to reunite Romeo and Juliet through the deceptive ruse of a sleeping potion that seems to arise from almost mystic knowledge. This mystical knowledge seems out of place for a Catholic friar; why does he have such knowledge, and what could such knowledge mean? The answers are not clear. In addition, though Friar Lawrence’s plans all seem well conceived and well intentioned, they serve as the main mechanisms through which the fated tragedy of the play occurs. We should recognize that the Friar is not only subject to the fate that dominates the play, but in many ways he brings that fate about.Quotes:
"For naught so vile that on the earth doth live,/But to the earth some special good doth give/Nor aught so good but, strained from that fair use,/Revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse./Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied,/And vice sometime's by action dignified." (II,iii,11-16)
"These violent delights have violent ends,/And in their triumph die, like fire and powder/Which as they kiss consume....Therefore love moderately, long love doth so,/Too swift arrives, as tardy as too slow." (II,vi,09-15)
- Michael Punch
Tybalt
A proud and honourable character, indoctrinated at an early age by the 'Capulet' ideals etc... He portrays the 'rage' of the house and is quick to act to his short temperamental nature. His is however threatened, he believes that a Montague is a threat and there presence an insult to his family. Due to this he shows his vulnerability, and this obviously shows in his death, but he fights for purpose and that is revenge.Quotes:
"What, are thou drawn among these heartless hinds?" Tybalt, Act I Scene 1 Line 57
Here his belief of higher status and importance, that a Capulet is the exemplary man which society should heed to, and Montagues are 'heartless hind's', as if beasts.
"What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word, As i hate hell, all Montagues, and thee." Tybalt, Act 1 Scene 1 Line 61-62
Tyblat's relation of hell relates to how he despises the Montague family. During Elizabeathen times hell was perceived and represented as black, black magic (witchery), dirt, and of all importance to be out of God's love.
"To scorn at our solemnity this night" Tybalt, as he tells Capulet in reference to Romeo's presence at the party. Act 1 Scene 5 Line 62
Shows his vulnerability to Romeo, that he might actually do nothing is not a possible theory for Tybalt, that he will disrupt and alter the course of events is a certainty. This spite links to his indoctrination of what to expect of Montagues.
"Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me, therefore turn and drawn." Tybalt, to Romeo. Act 3 Scene 1 Line 59-60
The reference to 'injuries' suggests the possibility of revenge for past actions, whether in Tybalt's or Romeo's life time this also portrays indoctrination.